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Thank you to the people in industry I have made a career of...

Recently I had decided to change my employer, so that I can focus on what I would like to do for the next 20 years (given that I'm 46 now, I think 66 would be a good time to slow down...but who knows how fast things will be moving in 2032?).

The Information Technology (or IT) world has provided me with an ample number of friends who I keep in touch with via Linked In. If you are not part of Linked In, I would recommend that you get a free account and try it.  I have found it very useful in keeping up with my work friends and people in the industry that I like to follow.  While most would say use Twitter to really follow someone, its hard to keep up with a twitter feed that everyone comments on (especially when that person has a large following).  By the way I do use twitter and can be found at https://twitter.com/DLibonati or @dlibonati . 

During my employment search, I had taken the advice of an article I read from the CEO of the The Ladders... How not to ask for a job.
In short it was about reconnecting with contacts you have made and  describing what you are doing now and what you are looking to do in the future.  The article peaked my interest so I save it for a "rainy day".  
About three week ago, I use the article's information to craft an email to my peers that I have networked with over the years from trade shows, customers, vendors and personal friends. The email went out to about 75 people. 64 of those people responded.  Of those 64, I have had several interviews both phone and in person.  I am currently going through the second and third round interviews at  4 different vendors and 3 different channel partners (one is the largest HP and Cisco VAR in the world.).  

I was touched by the number of responses that I received to that email.  The people that I reached out to were very glad to hear from me and had offered their help in any way they could.  It very heart warming to read and see. These were people that I don't see regularly wanting to help or provide a reference.

People have heard me say "the faces in this business don't change, just the business cards.". It really is true.  The people that I have networked with, have always been what I call my work family. I have working relationships with them, have done customer deals with them or they have been I client that I have consulted with.  These family members are from all verticals of business or peers I have worked.  The number of phone calls that I got from the email were ...well a little overwhelming but very appreciated. 

So to that end, I hope to be employed soon (should have my offer letters within the next week).  And I hope that someday I can help a work family member when they decided to change direction.

So long for now..but stay tuned...     

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